Quote:
Originally posted by tsa4
where did the rule "run if catcher drops the third strike" come from? How did it get started?
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The following is an extract from the "Historical Notes" for Rule 6.09(b), found in Evans'
Official Baseball Rules Annotated:
Under the original Major League Code (1876), a batsman who struck at and missed a third strike OR failed to strike at a good ball for the called third strike was obligated to run to first base ... as in the case of hitting a fair ball.
The Rules of 1887 specified that the batsman became a base runner ...instantly after four strikes have been declared by the umpire. This four strike provision lasted only one year.
As late as the 1940's, the batter was entitled to advance (with liability) after three strikes had been called by the umpire. By the time of the recodification in 1950, a provision had been added that stipulated that the batter could advance (with liability) after three strikes had been called when the third strike was not caught unless there is a runner on first base with not more than one out.
Essentially, this changed the previous rule in two ways:- The batter could legally advance as a runner only if the third strike was NOT caught; and
- The batter was not permitted to advance if first base was occupied with less than two outs.
In 1956, the wording was simplified to its present form.
It is interesting to me to note from the above that up until the 1940's a batter automatically became a runner after 3 strikes,
whether or not the catcher caught the pitched ball on the 3rd strike!. Does that mean there are actually NO strikeout statistics prior to the 1950 rule re-write? I didn't know that! What a major change to the fundamental nature of the game that must have represented, and in the year of my birth too!
As to WHY the change was made, Evans remains silent. Maybe one of the others has the story.
Cheers